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The Tottenham defender scored twice as Tottenham prolonged their unbeaten run in away games in the top division and handed the Toffees their initial loss at their new home.

The Toffees were unbeaten in their five previous fixtures at their recently opened stadium at the dockside location, having left Goodison Park behind after 133 years at the conclusion of last season.

But Tottenham's leader Van de Ven pounced on two occasions from corners in the opening 45 minutes to put their strong form at risk, and they were unable to mount a comeback before the midfielder - set up by ex-Everton forward the Brazilian - nodded in a final goal to seal the victory.

Jake O'Brien thought he had equalized the scores five minutes after the defender's opener, glancing a bullet header past Guglielmo Vicario from an set-piece.

The Portuguese striker, in the meantime, missed a number of chances, while the Italian goalkeeper made a series of excellent stops to ensure the London club went five matches on the road without defeat in the Premier League.

But the VAR stepped in, advising the match official to review the score on the screen and the referee ruled that Jack Grealish and Iliman Ndiaye were in an illegal position and had interfered with the Tottenham goalkeeper.

This victory moves the manager's side up to third in the division, a handful of points off local foes and leaders Arsenal.

Everton remain in 14th position and sit half a dozen points ahead of the relegation zone.

Tottenham analysis: Van de Ven excels in role at each end of pitch

Following a drab midweek performance in the Champions League against the French side, where they managed a only attempts on target, the manager opted for Randal Kolo Muani up front instead of former Toffees player the Brazilian.

The summer signing was unable to influence the game before being substituted for Richarlison after an hour on the pitch, but it emerged he proved unnecessary in the end.

Defender Van de Ven converted into an attacking force to be feared.

Tottenham's opening strike came from a cleverly executed corner routine, with the midfielder heading the ball back across the six-yard box for an unmarked Van de Ven to score.

And Ven de Ven - filling in as captain in Cristian Romero's absence - added his second in first-half stoppage time as he rose above Jordan Pickford to head home.

The Dutchman was just as impressive in defence, combining well with his defensive colleague as the pair dealt excellently with the 34 crosses sent their way by the opposition.

Everton analysis: Everton missing finishing touch

The club's new home had been a happy hunting ground, but it appears the freshness may have worn off slightly and supporters headed to the gates after Sarr's third for Tottenham.

The break in the team's unbeaten home run won't be a major concern for David Moyes, but their attacking woes will be.

Beto and the other striker - the Toffees' pair of recognised strikers - had netted only a single goal combined before the weekend's match.

And they were unable to contribute to that miserable tally on a damp and dreary evening on in Liverpool.

Beto's form was summed up when he opted to overhead kick a clear chance from near the goal, despite having room and time to reposition for a more conventional shot that would have tested the keeper.

Barry, too, failed to influence the game after coming on for the starter in the second half.

It was not for a shortage of chance. The majority of the home side's attacks came through Grealish and Ndiaye, who relentlessly delivered threatening balls into the Tottenham box.

Upcoming fixtures for both teams?

Everton: The team travel to Sunderland in the top flight on early November at 20:00 GMT.

Tottenham: Spurs travel to St James' Park on late October for their next round League Cup tie against Newcastle.